A NUMBER of serious incidents taking place at the same time prevented police answering a 999 call in Ince Blundell immediately.

But the householder was kept advised of the reason for the delay and seen by an officer the following day.

Inspector Pauline Trubshaw – who was asked at the Formby Area Committee meeting about the incident, reported in last week’s Formby Times – said the other incidents were the only reason the call was not answered at the time.

A man had been seen knocking on the door and windows of a house at 2.20pm before setting off down a track in a car with four other men. When they got out and walked back, the householder made himself known and they drove off.

Police circulated the car’s details but officers on duty were deployed at other, more urgent, calls and no-one was able to visit the premises then. However, the householder was contacted about the delay.

Police called another resident at the house and visited the householder the following day.

Inspector Trubshaw said that Ince Blundell’s dedicated officer, PC Nadine Kenwright, was engaged on another inquiry while on foot patrol at the time of the incident.

She added that 999 calls were always treated seriously. “We would always do our best to make sure we provide the reassurance and contact that the individual expects.

“This was an unusual occurrence solely due to the high volume of calls experienced at that time.”